Wetherspoon price hikes to set to ruin St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

In a blow to St Patrick’s Day celebrations for both students and pint lovers alike, prices have increased at all J D. Wetherspoon outlets around the country.

Throughout the chain, prices of fan-favourite drinks, such as a pint of Guinness, Strongbow, and Sharp’s Doom Bar, will be increasing by 15p, with meal deals increasing by 30p.

Following measures in the first Labour Budget in 14 years, Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has suggested that the cost inflation is a necessary response to maintain profit efficiency in the chain. Martin remarked: “Wetherspoon has always tried to remain as competitive as possible. We hope that our prices will still be reasonable in spite of these increases.”

As St Patrick’s Day celebrations roll around the corner, for students the price increase on Guinness will be another woe facing their budget.

The price of Guinness will be increasing from £3.45 to £3.60, a pint price seeing your favourite Irish stout advance nearer the disappointing £4 mark

The once utopic vision of a cheap pub night with friends has become a point of contention, with students potentially turning away from the so-called “Benny Satch” for alternative venues to catch up with friends.

The price of Guinness will be increasing from £3.45 to £3.60, a pint price seeing your favourite Irish stout advance nearer the disappointing £4 mark at the go-to student haunt.

Beverage lovers alike have been disgruntled by this, including alcoholic societies on campus.

James, Social Secretary of the Real Ale Society, a society focused on promoting the affordability of beers, considered the effect of price changes upon organising events. In the wake of this change, he stated: “The increasing prices are making it much harder to go on fun bar crawls that are affordable to students.”

It is an absolute nightmare [but] still better than campus prices

Archie, Warwick Cocktail Society Secretary

Archie, Secretary of Warwick Cocktail Society, said: “It is an absolute nightmare,” but that nevertheless it was “still better than campus prices”.

As drinks prices consistently rise, it is uncertain whether societies will be able to offer the previously affordable events that were once a regular occurrence in social calendars.

While the price rise in Wetherspoons is arguably small in cost, the principle of this unexpected increase is representative of the constant monetary changes experienced by students when choosing day-to-day activities.

Amid the rise, there are some silver linings – among the list of drinks exempt from the increase are students favourites Corona, Leffe, Carling, and Coors, ultra-cheap cider Stowford Press, and draught Pepsi and Lemonade.

Nevertheless, with student budgets already tight, many will see this change as a reason to opt out of once-regular catch-ups throughout their week.